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Home » News » “Red Mirage” Talking Point Predicts Dems Pulling Out Late Night, Early Morning Wins
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“Red Mirage” Talking Point Predicts Dems Pulling Out Late Night, Early Morning Wins

Steve RobinsonBy Steve RobinsonNovember 8, 2022Updated:November 8, 2022No Comments2 Mins Read
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The national Democratic Party is staring down a wave election that could see its majorities in the House and Senate swept away. An unpopular president, beset by economic malaise and high inflation, is unlikely to run for re-election. The all-powerful House Speaker is signaling readiness for retirement. The vaunted rise of the post-Dobbs abortion voter may not materialize. In former Democratic strongholds, like New York, Republicans are on the offensive.

So what’s the communications strategy on the eve of Election Day? Enter: The Red Mirage.

The late radio host Rush Limbuagh used to be an expert at noticing when talking heads and partisan media pros just happened to sing from the same hymnal. But social media makes it much, much easier to observe the formation of narratives as they happen. The day before Election Day, the clear narrative from left-wing accounts, media outlets, and partisan leftists revolved around the “red mirage.”

Experts say a "red mirage" will likely occur again in some of the same states as last cycle — battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. https://t.co/38dNJ4qtTf pic.twitter.com/4edT9MLy4J

— ABC News (@ABC) November 8, 2022

Here’s the gist of the red mirage theory: You may think things look bad for progressives this election season, and as the early ballots come in, your suspicions will be confirmed as GOP candidates appear to take the lead in several close races. However, experts say this is only a false lead — a mirage — because everyone knows that Democratic ballots are counted last. So prepare yourself to head to bed tonight thinking Republicans have won but trust that when you wake up in the morning, the final count will show that they did not.

Behold, the formation of a new narrative:

A "red mirage," or an artificial GOP vote lead, will likely reoccur Tuesday. https://t.co/tagIbNJscC

— ABC News (@ABC) November 7, 2022

The GOP plan for election night is clear: they will count on a "red mirage" due to mail-in ballots being counted last, they will demand vote counting stop, and they will use the time it takes to count ballots to spread disinformation about election fraud.

Don't fall for it.

— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) November 8, 2022

The #redwave is a red mirage is a red illusion. Their propaganda is a strategy to get you not to vote. Don't be fooled. Voting is the democratic super-power. Use your power. Vote. #BlueTsunami

— Richard Stengel (@stengel) November 7, 2022

New memo: Fetterman CM @BrendanMcP warns of a "red mirage" early as in-person vote skews R and mail vote, counted slower, skews D. "Buckle up for a long week. This race is close, and we should all be prepared for a process that takes several days" to get clear results, he writes.

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) November 7, 2022

Zeeshan Aleem: Red mirage 2.0 — Republicans are already trying to set the stage for another wave of denialism before Election Day.https://t.co/eOPPq5zfmN

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) November 8, 2022

The simple answer: the #RedMirage. Republicans may have the upper hand in Election Day vote counts, but the truth will appear once every vote, including mail-in ballots, is counted. https://t.co/LSCBVr1Zst

— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) November 7, 2022

The peculiar thing about the “red mirage” talking point is that it’s not aimed at turning out voters, advancing some policy, or winning an election. It’s aimed purely at priming the audience to be unsurprised when Democrats in key races, like the Pennsylvania Senate race, pull out extraordinary come-from-behind victories at 3AM tomorrow morning. But don’t worry, I’m sure everything is on the level.

Previous ArticleHere We Go Again: Fetterman campaign suing to have undated and misdated ballots counted in PA
Next Article Maine State, Local Tax Collections Headed for Record Haul in 2022
Steve Robinson
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Steve Robinson is the Editor-in-Chief of The Maine Wire. ‪He can be reached by email at Robinson@TheMaineWire.com.

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